Adventure Sports Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 1200: Climbing to Overcome with Melissa Strong Apr 06, 2026

Show notes

Rock climbing! Overcoming adversity to live life to the fullest!

Melissa’s journey from a tragic electric accident to climbing again is beyond inspiring. She lost fingers, faced intense medical battles, and grappled with whether she could ever climb again — but her passion and perseverance kept her moving forward. Her story reminds us that even the darkest challenges can lead to breathtaking forests of gratitude and growth.

Her secret? A relentless fire within and the courage to face her fears head-on. She’s living proof that your "new normal" can still be incredible — if you refuse to give up.

IG: MelissaIStrong

WS: www.MelissaIStrong.com

Melissa's Book: Climbing Through - https://a.co/d/03C3t9oz

My Book: 99 Words - Building a Better Life - https://a.co/d/05UErDyE

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Ep. 1199: Why Adventure is Essential Revisited with Belinda Kirk Apr 03, 2026

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Adventure for wellbeing: Belinda Kirk's 25+ years leading international expeditions – walking Nicaragua, sailing the Atlantic, searching for camels in China's Desert of Death, discovering rock paintings in Lesotho, setting a Guinness World Record rowing unsupported around Britain, pioneering inclusive trips for people with disabilities, and founding Explorers Connect to connect 30,000 people to adventure while promoting the Adventure Effect on wellbeing.

Belinda Kirk is an explorer and the leading campaigner promoting the benefits of adventure on wellbeing. For the past twenty-five years, she has led dozens of international expeditions and remote filming trips. Belinda has walked through Nicaragua, sailed across the Atlantic, searched for camels in China’s Desert of Death, discovered ancient rock paintings in Lesotho, and gained a Guinness World Record for rowing unsupported around Britain. She has led numerous youth development challenges, pioneered inclusive expeditions for people with disabilities, and managed scientific research missions in the Amazon, Sinai, and Alaska. In 2009, Belinda established Explorers Connect, a non-profit organization connecting people to adventure, and has encouraged 30,000 ordinary people to engage in outdoor challenges. In 2020 she launched the first conference to explore the Adventure Effect, the positive impact that adventurous activity has on wellbeing.

Adventure Revolution book:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Adventure-Revolution-case-living-boldly/dp/0349428239

“A powerful reminder that adventure truly is a state of mind” -- Bear Grylls

“A landmark book with a groundbreaking and powerful message. It's also a fantastic read packed with thrilling, moving and inspiring stories. I certainly recommend it” -- Chris Ryan

Follow Belinda on Instagram at @explorerbelinda

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Ep. 1198 Endurance Trail Running and FKTs with Cody Taylor Apr 01, 2026

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How to Get Started with Trail Running: 5 Essential Tips for Beginners.

Ever wonder what it takes to push beyond your limits into the wild unknown? Cody Taylor went from playing in a band to running unsupported trails for days — and he’s here to tell you, yes, you can do this too. Cody’s journey started with simple runs and grew into unsupported records across Canada, tackling trails with 50+ pounds on his back — unsupported, unsupported!

He reveals the real challenge isn’t just distance or elevation — it’s the mental game: being alone, navigating unseen trails, hallucinating, and pushing through the discomfort.

His secret? Preparation, listening to your body, and embracing the learning curve. Remember, you don’t need the perfect gear — just a good mindset and the willingness to start. What’s your next challenge going to be? Think big, start small, learn as you go. The trail’s waiting.

Web: www.findyournewnormal.ca

IG: @CodyTaylorPerformance

IG2: LivetheNewNormal

To support We See Hope: https://charity.pledgeit.org/climbingforchange/@CurtLinville

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Ep. 1197: Why You Always Need to Be Prepared in the Backcountry Revisited with Thomas Reiss Mar 27, 2026

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Ultrarunning: Thomas Reiss on Ultrarunning Adventures – Years of Racing, Lessons from Unplanned Challenges.

Thomas has been running, racing, and ultrarunning for years, but even for the most experienced, things don’t always go as planned...

Follow Thomas’ adventures below:

Instagram: @thomas.rei55

thomasreiss.com

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Ep. 1196: Climbing & Leukemia with Jason Kolaczkowski Mar 25, 2026

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Climbing and how it offers a holistic experience that feeds the soul, mind, and body.

Join us as Jason Kolaczkowski, a passionate climber and author, talks about his journey through various types of climbing, the impact of his cancer diagnosis, and how the outdoors has shaped his life and family. Jason shares his experiences with different climbing modalities, the emotional and psychological growth he has gained from climbing, and how he navigated the challenges of being diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia during the COVID-19 pandemic. The discussion emphasizes the importance of risk management, resilience, and the healing power of nature, encouraging listeners to embrace outdoor adventures for personal growth.

Book: Notions of Grace - https://a.co/d/00yI8JNL, diangelopublications.com/shop/p/notions-of-grace

YT: https://www.youtube.com/@ShortGuysBetaWorks

Website: https://www.shortguysbetaworks.com/

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Ep. 1195: Pack Rafting and Multi-Sport Adventure with Thor Tingey Mar 23, 2026

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Pack rafting, whitewater, backpacking, multi-sport adventure.

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Thor Tingey, co-founder and CEO of Alpacka Raft (alpackaraft.com), the pioneering company that turned pack rafting from a niche Alaska hack into a global adventure sport. Thor shares his wild upbringing in Alaska, the epic expeditions that exposed the flaws in early packrafts, and how he teamed up with his mother Sheri to design the first modern, durable packraft in their basement. Whether you're a seasoned adventurer or curious about lightweight wilderness travel, this episode dives deep into Thor's backstory, the origins of Alpacka Raft, and everything you need to know about pack rafting—plus practical tips for getting started and exploring hidden rivers.

www.alpackaraft.com

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Ep. 1194: Expand Your Possible Revisited with Steve Cannon Mar 20, 2026

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Ultra endurance adventures: Steve Cannon's inspiring multi-sport journey – nearly 100 marathons, world's longest kayak race, Tuscobia Winter 150 and Arrowhead 135 on fat bike (including unsupported finish), 1900+ mile bike-to-marathon-to-ride, multiple RAGBRAI, Gravel Worlds, Dirty Kanza 200 (earning 1000 Miles of Kanza goblet), first to run around Lake Michigan (1037 miles in 40 days), first Iowan to finish 1000-mile Iditarod Trail Invitational bike race to Nome, Iditarod Trail 350, 200-Mile Fat Pursuit, and raising nearly $700,000 for cancer causes, as shared in his book 40 Days and documentary 1000 Miles to Nome.

Steve’s story is one that’ll get you pumped to start planning your next adventure and eliminate all excuses as to why you can’t or shouldn’t. Steve Cannon runs, fat bikes, kayaks, and skis but he wouldn’t call himself a runner, biker, kayaker, or skier, however. He would most likely refer to himself as an adventurer.

If there was ever a person to come on the show to expand what’s possible for you, it’s Steve. Learn what you can and feel free to reach out to him to learn even more.

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Ep. 1193: SCUBA for Preservation Around the World with Andi Cross Mar 17, 2026

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SCUBA diving, technical diving, ocean conservation: Learning to dive BEFORE learning to swim!

Andi Cross is a technical diver and scuba instructor who has traveled to over 50 countries in the last three years. Andi shares her unique journey from a corporate marketing career in New York to becoming a passionate scuba diver and conservationist. She discusses her experiences learning to swim at 30, the differences between open water and technical diving, and her work with Edges of Earth, a consulting business focused on marine conservation and storytelling. The conversation highlights the importance of connecting people to the ocean and inspiring them to explore and protect marine ecosystems.

www.edgesofearth.com

IG:AndiCross1

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Ep. 1192: Kayaking Across TWO Oceans with Cyril Derreumaux Mar 16, 2026

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Ocean kayaking two oceans: True spirit of Adventure!

Cyril Derreumaux is throwing down the challenge for us on today's episode. If we don't say yes today, when will we ever! Cyril has kayaked across two oceans! KAYAKED rather than rowed. But that is just the beginning. Cyril shares with us much adventure wisdom from a lifetime of living large. We catch up with him today in a roadside cafe where he is motorcycling around Argentina on a rented 250CC motorbike. Don't miss this one!

https://www.cyrilderreumaux.com/

https://www.instagram.com/cyrildx/

ASP Discord Server: https://discord.gg/57bYAUNh

To support We See Hope!: https://charity.pledgeit.org/climbingforchange/@CurtLinville

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Ep. 1191: Walking Across Australia With Five Wild Camels Revisited with Sophie Matterson Mar 13, 2026

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Camel trekking across Australia: Sophie's wild 5-year passion for camels after leaving her film and TV career to milk them, leading to catching and taming five feral camels and walking thousands of kilometers through the Outback from the Flinders Ranges to Coober Pedy and beyond with Jude, Delilah, Charlie, Clayton, and Mac.

After needing a break from her career in film and TV, Sophie took a very fortuitous turn in her life by finding the most random job she could, milking camels. If you didn’t realize camels could be milked, neither did I.

To make a long story short, Sophie fell in love with camels and never went back to her old career. Her ongoing 5-year passion for camels has taken her to places like The Flinders Ranges, Lake Eyre and The Tirari Desert, Uluru, Michigan USA, Texas, and Rajasthan India.

At some point in the pursuit to learn more about these amazing creatures, Sophie got the idea to cross Australia on foot while being accompanied by 5 wild (or “feral”) camels. This would not only entail catching and taming 5 out of upwards of a million wild camels that roam Australia but also walking thousands of kilometers across the vast and void Australian Outback. Keep in mind, Australia is the geographic size of the US with 1/10th of the population. A wild idea indeed!

Today Sophie joins us from just over the halfway point of the journey in the bizarre little town of Coober Pedy.

Jude, Delilah, Charlie, Clayton, and Mac will all continue the journey in March.

www.sophiematterson.com

Instagram: @sophiematterson

Facebook Coast-to-Coast-to-camel-trek

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